Disposable container



July 1969 P. GADIEL 3,455,498

DISPOSABLE CONTAINER Filed 001;. 16, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1. 1; 7 14 118 a 1a i Z f -15 19 1? 14 4717 14 Z56 4 6 17 w T 12 @0- H ,1 2 i 59 J1 July 15, 1969 P. GADIEL 3,455,498

DISPOSABLE CONTAINER Filed Oct. 16, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 15, 1969 P. GADIEL DISPOSABLE commmnn 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 16, 1967 July 15, 1969 P. GADIEL DISPOSABLE CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 16, 1967 Us. Cl. 229-39 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a collapsible and erectible container formed of a single blank of paperboard which has interlocking bottom forming flaps hinged to the side walls and also interlocking top forming flaps hinged to the side walls. The top forming flaps are adapted to maintain the walls of the carton in substantially rectangular spaced relationship. In some embodiments of the invention the top forming flaps extend in spaced relationship to each other and in others the top forming flaps extend into abutting relationship with one of the opposed pair being adapted to be yieldably spaced on hinged lines to provide a temporary opening.

The present invention relates to disposable cartons which can be stored, transported and then readily erected to substantially rectangular form and of relatively economical construction formed of a single blank of paperboard and can be used in the home or in doctors or dentists ofiices or by hospitalized patients as a waste container and thereafter disposed of.

Containers of the present class have been heretofore provided in collapsible form with bottom flaps that interlock but the present invention further provides top forming flaps which give the container stability and also limit the area of the top opening to a desired extent. In some specific embodiments of the present invention the top forming flaps extend into abutting relationship with each other so as to normally form a complete pilferage resistant sanitary closure but which complete closure contains a pair of opposed flaps which yield on their scored hinge lines to provide a temporary opening and then spring back into place to close the top. This is accomplished without any spring aids but relies essentially on the tendency of scored paperboard, after it has been bent on a score line, to spring back to its original flat condition.

The objects of the present invention, its details of construction and arrangement of parts and economies thereof will be further explained in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a blank development of one form of container of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 partially assembled and in collapsed condition ready for shipment and storage.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the blank of FIG. 2 during its stages of erection showing the bottom flaps in partial engagement with each other.

FIG. 4 is a view progressive of FIG. 3 showing the formed flaps of the container in their final relationship wherein the container is erected.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container formed from the blank of FIG. 1 and with the top closure flaps in separated relationship.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view progressive to that of FIG. 5 showing the top flaps in interlocked carton sustaining final relationship.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 6.

' tent O 3,455,498 Patented July 15, 1%69 "ice FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section of the carton development of a modified form of container of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective top view of the blank of FIG. 8 in partially assembled condition.

FIG. 10 is a view progressive to that of FIG. 9 showing the top closure flaps in interlocking engagement.

FIG. 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary blank of another modified form of container showing the top portion thereof.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the blank of FIG. 12 with its top closure flaps in partially erected condition.

FIG. 14 is a view progressive to that of FIG. 13 with the top closure flaps in interlocked final relationship.

FIG. 15 is a section on the line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary top portion of the carton blank of another modified form of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective top view of the carton blank of FIG. 16 in partially erected condition.

FIG. 18 is a view progressive to that of FIG. 17 with the top closure flaps in fully assembled relationship.

FIG. 19 is a section on the line 19-19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a view progressive to that of FIG. 18 showing an opposed pair of top closure flaps in spaced relationship and providing an entry opening to the container.

Referring to the drawings and initially to the form of FIGS. 1 to 7, the reference numerals 10-11) show one pair of container side walls and the reference numerals 11-11 show a second opposed pair of container side walls all hinged together on score lines with a short end tab 12 secured to the terminal end of one of the side walls 11 and which is adhesively secured to the free edge portion of one of the side walls 10. In such condition, when the tab 12 is secured to the side wall 10 the assembly can then be collapsed to the form shown in FIG. 2.

Secured to the upper edges of the walls 10 and 11 are the top closure flaps 13-13 each having a pair of tabs 14-14 secured thereto on the hinge lines 15-15. A second pair of top closure flaps 16-16 are formed with notches 17-17 and ears 18-18 whereby the tabs 14 may interengage in the notches 17 and abut against the cars 18 of the adjacent fiaps when the top forming flaps 13 and 16 are folded inwardly so that they come to rest in an inclined position as shown in FIG. 6.

These flaps 13-13 may further be formed with the arcuate score lines 19-19 adjacent, their terminal edges and the flaps 16-16 can be formed with the arcuate score lines 20-20 in a similar manner so that when the flaps 13 and 16 are folded inwardly as shown in FIG. 6 the score lines 19 and 20 permit the portion of the flaps to assume a more rectangular position and a smoother entrance opening.

Although the flaps 13-13 and 16-16 are shown to extend in relatively wide spaced relationship to each other, the respective flaps may be of greater length so that they can provide a relatively small opening as is desired, say one inch or two inches, or as much as desired as will be understood.

Some of the side walls such as walls 11 as shown at 21 can be formed with apertures formore readily grasping the receptacle and other of the side walls such as side wall 10 at 22 may be provided with a hinged flap so that the receptacle can be thereby pinned to the bed of a hospitalized patient or secured thereby to some other desired location.

The bottom edges of the side walls 10 and 11 have hinged thereto bottom closure flaps. Thus, the side walls 10-10 have hinged thereto on their score lines 23-23 the flaps 24-24, these flaps being of partially reduced length to form an arcuate area notched as at 25 and are further provided with score lines, in this case shown dotted at 26. The opposed side walls 11-11 have secured thereto at the score lines 27-27 the flaps 28-28 each of which has an inclined edge 29 and a glue area 30, Before setting up the carton to the form of FIG. 2, the sections 31-31 of the flaps 24-24 are adhesively secured over the areas -30 and the bottom forming flaps are thus initially bent inwardly on their score lines 23-23, 27-27 and the score lines 26-26. When it is desired to erect the carton, it is initially flexed in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 3 whereupon the bottom flaps become disposed in overlying or interlocking relationship with the notched and rounded areas 25-25 abutting on the free inclined edges 29-29 of flaps 28-28 and in interengaging relationship with the rounded notched areas 25-25, and with rounded notched areas 25-25 in interengaging relationship with each other.

In thus setting up the carton the side walls hinge on the lines 32, 33, 34 and 35 to assume a squared-up relationship whereupon the top flaps 13-13 are bent downwardly on their score lines 36-36 and the flaps 16-16 on the score lines 37-37 to assume their interlocked carton reinforcing relationship as previously explained, namely with the tabs 14 locking in the notches beneath the ears 18 on the flaps 16-16 as shown in FIG. 6. In this relationship the flaps 13-13, which to an appreciable extent extend the full width of the wall 13, project into abutting relationship with the opposed pair of walls 11- 11 with the tabs 14-14 in abutment against the walls 11-11 to form a firm open support for the upper end of the container.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 is substantially similar to the form of FIGS. 1 to 7 except that the form of FIGS. 8 to 11 shows the carton of oblong form rather than the previously described square form.

Thus, in FIGS. 8 to 11 the blank comprises the side walls 38-38 and 39-39 and the end tab 40 hinged together on the lines 41, 42, 43 and 44, the tab 40 being then adhesively secured to the free edge of the wall 38 to provide the tubular relationship. The bottom forming flaps are not shown since they are similar to the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

The side walls 38-38 have secured thereto on the hinge lines 45-45 the top flaps 46-46 and the side walls 39-39 have hinged thereto on the score lines 47-47 the narrow top closure flaps 48-48. The flaps 48-48 have hinged thereto on the lines 49-49 the ears 50-50. These ears 50-50 are partially separated from the flaps 48 to provide slots 51-51 which receive therein in interlocking engagement the forwardly notched portions 52- 52 of flaps 46-46 to thereby provide an inclined downward opening into the container and with the top closure flaps 46-46 and 48-48 in interlocked reinforcing relationship to hold the carton open in the rectangular form shown in FIG, 10.

Another modification of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 12-15, this form having a normally completely closed top with a pair of flaps adapted to be flexed on hinge lines for depositing material into the confines of the container. This self-closing and readily opening top provides a sanitary closure and renders it pilferage resistant. For example, when syringe needles and other artgsles discarded by a nurse or doctor are dropped into the container the tendency of one to retrieve articles from the confines of the container is reduced or substantially eliminated.

Thus the container of the form of the invention of FIGS. 12-15 comprises a one-piece blank composed of the opposed side walls 53-53 and a second pair of opposed side walls 54-54 and the end. tab 55 which is adhesively secured against the free end of one of the side walls 54 to provide a tubular form as previously explained. Likewise, this form has bottom closure flaps hinged thereto similar to the form of FIGS. 1-7 previously described.

These side walls are in hinged engagement by means of the score lines 56, 57, 58 and 59. To the upper ends of the side walls 53-53 there are hinged the top closure flaps 60-60 on the score lines 61-61 and to the side walls 54-54 are hinged the top closure flaps 62-62 on the score lines 63-63.

For interlocking engagement the flaps 62-62 are each provided with a medial terminal flap portion 64 having opposed ears 65-65 and lateral flap portions 66 having slits 67. These side components 66-66 are separated as at 68 from the medial components 64 and thus when the components 66 of one top flap 62 are brought into into adjacent relationship with those of the opposed flap 62 they are engaged by internesting of the components 66 at their slits 67 as shown in FIG. 13 where one terminal portion 66 becomes disposed to another terminal portion 66. In this position as shown in FIG. 13 the medial flap components 64-64 can be flexed downwardly on their arcuate score lines 69-69.

For interlocking engagement and for holding the medial flap components 64-64 in downward inclined position but to retain them in a flexible manner the opposed top closure flaps 60-60 have inclined side edges terminating at the score or hinge line 70 in the intermediate stop member 71 having the side wings 72-72 hinged thereto on the score lines 72'-72'. Thus, after the components 64-64 on the top flaps 62-62 are folded in place the outer components of side walls 60-60 are folded inwardly and wings 72-72 become disposed at the lateral edges of the components 64-64 adjacent their separated area 68, so that the cars 66 ride between the wings 72-72 and the stop member 71 disposed between them as shown in FIG. 15. Here the components 64-64 of top closure flaps 62-62 can be pivotally moved on their score lines 69-69 by manually depressing them to the limits of the wings 72-72 and upon manual release they move towards each other to the limit of the stop 71 to reclose the container, the open position being shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 15 and the movement being in the direction of the illustrated arrows there.

Another modification of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 16-20 and comprises a carton composed of a single blank which comprises an opposed pair of side walls 73-73 and a second pair of side walls 74-74 and an end flap 75. These are hinged together on the score lines 76, 77, 78 and 79, the end flap 75 being adhesively secured adjacent the free end of one side wall 73 to provide a tubular form as previously described. This form of carton construction also has bottom forming flaps similar to those described with respect to FIGS. 1-7.

In this case, the side walls 74-74 each have a top closure flap 80 hinged thereto on a score line 81, which in illustrated form is shown to be arcuate. Additionally, this closure flap 80 is formed with a pair of oblique internal slots 82-82 and at its free outer edge opposed to the score line 81 is provided with one or more teeth 83, the teeth on one flap 80 being offset from the teeth 83 on the opposed flap 80 so that these two flaps 80-80 can be brought into closure as shown in FIG. 18 by a springing arrangement on their score lines 81-81. It will be noted that in this form the completely opened container is not fully rectangular but rather substantially so the side walls 74-74 being caused to extend in a somewhat arcuate manner.

The opposed side wall components 84-84 are hinged on the score lines 85-85 to the side walls 73-73 and are formed with inclined side edges 86 terminating in the portion 87. Extending laterally from the inclined sides 86 are the wings 88 terminating in the hook component 89. These laterally extending members 88 and their hooks 89 are then projected within the oblique slots 82 in the opposed side wall portions S08tl as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 to form a slidable interlock.

For mounting purposes a perforated tab 90 can be provided in one of the side walls in a manner similar to the flap 22 shown in FIG. 2. Whether the unit in this form be mounted or not its flap components 80-80' can be caused to separate by pressing the opposed side walls 7373 toward each other or by causing them to be so relatively pressed which action causes the side walls 8080 and their teeth 83-83 to be separated so as to permit ingress to the container for articles to be dropped therein. The provision of the teeth has a tendency to prevent finger ingress to withdraw anything which has once been deposited in the container.

I claim:

1. A four sided collapsible and erectible container formed of a single blank of paperboard and including interlocking bottom forming flaps hinged to said side Walls and interlocking top forming flaps hinged to said side walls, said top forming flaps being adapted to maintain the walls of the carton in substantially rectangular spaced relationship, one opposed pair of top forming flaps being inwardly adapted to extend into contiguous relationship with each other and the second opposed pair of top forming flaps being adapted for sliding interlocking engagement with the former and to normally form a complete top closure therewith, said first pair of contiguous flaps being then yieldably separable to provide a temporary ingress opening to the container.

- sides of said first pair of flaps include offset pairs of laterally projecting teeth to prevent finger ingress, and wherein the first pair of flaps are formed with oblique slots adapted for slidable reception of hook components formed on the second pair of flaps, said first pair of flaps being adapted to be separated by relative pressure on the side walls of the container hinged to said second pair of locking flaps.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,677,495 5/ 1954 Buttery 229-39 FOREIGN PATENTS 206,971 4/1966 Sweden. 425,017 3/1911 France.

DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 22937, 41 

